USA vs. China Women's Soccer: Score and Twitter Reaction for 2015 Friendly

One of the most legendary careers in United States Women's National Team history came to a close Wednesday evening at the Superdome in New Orleans as Abby Wambach made her final Red, White and Blue appearance in a 1-0 friendly loss to China.  

Coming off a 2-0 win over China in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec. 13, the U.S. couldn't muster enough quality goalscoring opportunities to send Wambach off in style and snag back-to-back wins over its international foe.

And although Lindsey Horan appeared to net an equalizer in the 87th minute, the official ruled her offside, and the USWNT recorded its first loss on American soil since 2004, according to ESPN Stats & Info's Paul Carr. 

After several failed attempts to get Wambach one last goal, the 35-year-old's ride into the sunset was interrupted in the 58th minute when China broke through with a counterattack strike courtesy of Wang Shuang. 

Fox Soccer on Twitter offered a glimpse at the go-ahead tally: 

The USWNT's all-time leading scorer was predictably the focal point of the Red, White and Blue game plan, but she couldn't get free for her 185th international goal. 

Wambach walked off the field for the final time in the 72nd minute, when she was replaced by Christen Press to a rousing ovation from the Superdome crowd, per Fox Soccer: 

Fox Soccer also offered a snapshot of Wambach's distinguished career at the time of her substitution: 

The United States provided ample pressure early, and it resulted in several productive runs at goal. While China was merely concerned with trying to clear its final third, the U.S. kept pushing up. Over the game's first 10 minutes, the Stars and Stripes managed two corners and two shots, but the opportunities came and went without the ball finding the back of the net. 

Head coach Jill Ellis' side also made a concerted effort to try to whip balls in for Wambach throughout the early portions of the first half to give her a shot at bagging a trademarked header, as the Advocate's Ramon Antonio Vargas observed:

However, China's disciplined defense repeatedly stymied any attempts. It didn't help that the U.S also had to try to create second-half scoring chances sans Alex Morgan, who exited in the 44th minute with an apparent hamstring injury. 

But as Carr noted, Morgan departed Wednesday's clash with a unique record to her name:    

It was hardly the prettiest game from the reigning world champions, and the lack of fluidity in their play was the result of trying to force Wambach the ball time and again when windows simply weren't there. Based on the theme of the evening, though, it would be hard to blame them for taking that tactical route. 

The Women's National Team will be back in action Jan. 23 against Ireland in San Diego before squaring off against Costa Rica on Feb. 10. 

With the quest for 2016 Olympic immortality in Rio de Janeiro just beginning, the U.S. will seek to regain elite form when it heads back to the pitch after the New Year. 

Post-Game Reaction

Fox Soccer provided footage of Wambach's visit to the television set following her final USWNT appearance: 

After Wambach discussed her career with Fox, she proceeded to address the crowd and end things her way, as the USWNT captured on Twitter:

"I love this team," Wambach said, per Vargas. "I love this country. It has been my pleasure, my honor to represent you for as long as I've been able to."